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James Gary Wrobel

1948 - 2012

BORN

1948

DIED

2012

James Wrobel Obituary


July 13, 1948 - December 5, 2012

James Gary Wrobel, 64, passed away December 5, 2012. He was found beside his parked vehicle along Hwy 44 between Shingletown and Redding. Efforts of passing motorists and emergency services personnel to sustain life were unsuccessful. The Shasta County Coroner's Office report on cause of death is pending results of toxicology tests.

One of three children, James, "Jim" Wrobel was born on July 13, 1948 in Greenbay, Wisconsin to Raymond and Marguerite (Newcomb) Wrobel.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki (Riessen) Wrobel, his older brother Raymond Wrobel, Jr. and younger sister Teresa Hansen.

A lifetime member of the VFW, James served four years in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. He began his civilian life by starting his own bookstore business in Lompoc, California. Moving north, he obtained his AA Degree from Shasta College and attended CSU, Chico for two years. He began working for the US Government first with the Forest Service in Trinity County and then moved to Redding to start his longtime career with the Social Security Administration. Married in 1980, James pursued his
career upward until becoming Branch Manager of the Social Security Office in Yreka, California, the position from which he finally retired. After five years of fishing and golfing, James accepted part-time work as a teller in the Mount Shasta branch of Bank of America from which he retired again this past April. Jim Wrobel was an exemplary public employee and effective manager.

He was a skilled fisherman, a loyal and generous friend, a devoted husband, a good cook, and a hapless but happy golfer. He loved his wife, his dog and the Greenbay Packers. He loved fishing, golfing and playing poker with his friends. He was a one-of-a-kind iconoclast who will be missed more than words could ever describe.

A memorial will be scheduled with family and friends after the first of the year. As an avid outdoorsman, Jim specified his wish that any memorial contributions or acknowledgments be made to the Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 (800) 628-6860 www.nature.org scroll to bottom right, click "Memorials and Tributes."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Redding Record Searchlight on Dec. 13, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for James Wrobel

Not sure what to say?





Fritz Streckewald

December 8, 2019

Vicki

His obituary captured his essenceit said he was a one-of-a-kind iconoclast . Yes, he was. As Bill Townsell wrote back then, he was the real Worlds Most Interesting Man. And even after 5 years I still miss him and think about him all the time. There will never be another Wrobel.
RIP Jimmy.....

January 3, 2013

Hi Vicki: We are so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. Jim was so much fun to be around. He fixed great meals for us over at Agness and we were so happy to finally meet you and your sister last summer. I hope you can join us again some summer. It is very relaxing there for us. I am just so sorry that Jim couldn't conquer his problems - and I am sure you were a deep source of comfort to him for so long. I hope you can find solace in that thought. Please feel free to call us at anytime if we can do anything to help. Sincerely, JoAnn and Mike Thompson (Judy Oach's aunt)

January 1, 2013

Vicki and Family, We were so saddened by the news of Jims passing. Jim was a good friend and we have some many wonderful memories of times spent together. Whether it was crabbing, fishing or rafting, Jim was always fun to be with.
Fondly, Dixie and Craig Edberg

Gene Moreno

December 18, 2012

Vicki,

I am so sorry to learn of Jim's passing. Please accept my condolences. Jim worked with me at the Prescott office. I have fond memories of him. He had boundless energy and a contagious enthusiasm for all that he did. He was always the competitor, whether at work, on the golf course,or playing a friendly game of pool. He was a unique and unforgettable person. I will certainly miss him.

Richard Stanley

December 14, 2012

Vicki,
I'm so sorry to hear the news of Jim's death. We worked together for many years in various places. He was a warm and engaging person who took his work - but not himself - seriously. I have many fond memories of Jim. I hope you find comfort in knowing many people cared deeply for him.

Susie Harris

December 13, 2012

Vicki-
It was an honor working with Jim. His words of wisdom were always appreciated and still remembered.
May God hold you closely and comfort you.

Susie Harris

December 13, 2012

Vicki-
It was an honor working with Jim. His words of wisdom were always appreciated and still remembered.
May God hold you closely and comfort you.

Chester & Susie Harris

December 13, 2012

Vicki
Words, words, words - if only they could convey the emotions of our heart. We are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. It was an honor working with Jim. I always appreciated Jim's words of wisdom.

Chester & Susie Harris

December 13, 2012

Vicki
Words, words, words - if only they could convey the emotions of our heart. We are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. It was an honor working with Jim. I always appreciated Jim words of wisdom.

Chester & Susie Harris

December 13, 2012

Vicki-
Our thoughts are with you.

Ed Garcia

December 12, 2012

Vicki, please accept my sincere condolences. Jim and I spent some precious times together during our careers with SSA. He was always up for a fun time. During a recent SSA golf tournament we shared a golf cart and lots of laughs. I will miss his laughter and wit. I am sorry I never got to share a fishing adventure with him. God bless you and family.

December 12, 2012

Vicki
I can't express how saddened I am to hear about the loss of my dear freind Jimmy. What a great friendship we shared through nearly three decades. Karen and I will always have little reminders of your wonderful husband in our daily lives. So sad he is gone but happy we knew him.

Mark & Karen Stuart
Napa CA.

Dennis Rinehart

December 12, 2012

Vicki:
While nothing we can do or say would ever lessen or lighten your loss, take some solace in knowing that we share the same emotions. As countless will document in the days to come, there has never been anyone like Jim in any of all or our lives. Whether anyone wants to remember stories related to work, sports, or community service, they will always remember Jim as the penultimate participator in any event. Hopefully, someday someone will say we lived our lives to the extent that Jim did his. He has made a huge impact in the life of anyone he ever met and sure will be missed.
Dennis and Suzin

Bill and Shelley Townsell

December 12, 2012

Many years ago, Jim introduced me to Dos Equis. More recently, that company introduced a series of commercials which I have just realized were patterned after Jim's life. Farewell, and thank you for being in my life, to the real World's Most Interesting Man.

December 12, 2012

December 11, 2012

Vicki:

Mona and I just found out this evening that your beloved husband and one of our best friends has passed. We are so sorry and our prayers are with you in this sad time. He will be sorely missed not only by us, but everyone who has ever come in touch with him. He was a very very kind gentleman. I will miss the golf trips to Las vegas and the times we had together.


Don and Mona Stiles Brookings Or.

Evie Bontrager

December 11, 2012

Vicki,

Thinking of you with sympathy. May your memories give you strength.

Polly Van Benthusen

December 10, 2012

Dear Vicki,
I was shocked and saddened to hear that my old compatriot and friend was gone. We had known each other for over 35 years and worked together in the Redding District twice! I was his DM and I hope he always considered me his friend. My best to you. Know that he will be missed.

Fernando Peralta

December 10, 2012

Jim's great advice to me was to never give away your ethics and your pride. He was one of a kind and I thank him for his time and his humble advice. He will be missed.

Fritz Streckewald

December 10, 2012

We were extremely saddened to hear of Jim's untimely death. He was one of the most unique and likable people I've had the honor of calling a friend--truly one of a kind and he will be sorely missed by many, many people.

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